5 Steps to ensure a safe working environment for your pregnant employees

1. Identify, record and regularly review potential risks to your employees. You need to do the review often and each time an employee tells you she's pregnant.

2. Encourage your employees to tell you about their pregnancy as soon as possible. You'll be able to identify and assess risks and also take the necessary actions.

3. Train your employees on any hazards that may harm them and their unborn babies and how to prevent them.

4. Identify, record and often review protective measures. Take a look at how you can adjust your working arrangements for your employees.

5. Maintain a list of all jobs that don't involve any risks to your employees while they're pregnant. This list will help you identify 'safe jobs' quicker and ensure you don't loose out on productivity even when your pregnant employee has been moved to a new position. Don't forget that you need to get HR involved to make sure you comply with all the labour laws.

For more steps on how to protect your pregnant employees, go to section (P06) of the Health and Safety Advisor.

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